Andina Appoints Dr. Annick Chouinard as Vice President of Exploration

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Feb. 13, 2012) - ANDINA Minerals Inc. (TSX VENTURE:ADM) ("Andina" or the "Company") today announced that, effective immediately, Dr. Annick Chouinard has been appointed Vice President of Exploration.

Dr. Chouinard earned her Ph.D. (2003) in geology from McGill University in Montreal, Canada. Her dissertation encompassed the study of geology and geochemistry of alteration and gold-silver-copper (Au-Ag-Cu) mineralization at the bulk tonnage, Pascua-Lama high-sulphidation deposit, located in the high Andes along the border of Chile and Argentina, currently being developed by Barrick Gold Corporation ('Barrick'). As a Post-doctoral fellow at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, Dr. Chouinard conducted vectoring and modelling of ore distribution using deposit-scale sulphide chemistry across Barrick's Goldstrike property in Nevada. Subsequently, between 2006 and 2010, she was retained by Barrick to conduct data integration and target generation for the Goldstrike deposit and Cortez Belt in Nevada.

Dr. Chouinard has over 20 years of experience as a geologist and has extensive experience throughout the Americas, primarily on epithermal gold and Carlin-type mineralization.

In 2011, Dr. Chouinard was retained by Andina as a consulting geologist to assist with the finalization of a feasibility study for the Volcan Gold Project ('Volcan'), scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2012.

George Bee, President and CEO stated, "Originally we invited Annick to assist the Andina team in linking the geology and mineralogy of Volcan ore to the metallurgical response that we have seen. Having significantly advanced our knowledge, through her extensive experience with these types of deposits, we started to discuss the potential that Andina's under-explored land package contains. I am delighted that Annick shares our excitement about both the potential of the gold discovered to date and the exploration opportunities we see in our land package to the north of the Volcan project.

Since 2004 when Andina was formed, all serious exploration efforts have been focused on the Dorado and Ojo de Agua zones which represent perhaps 10% of our land position. Now that we are on track to bring our initial Volcan project to a 'shovel ready' status, it is time to turn our attention to the rest of the land package".

Associated with her compensation package, Dr. Chouinard was awarded 225,000 incentive share options approved for issuance with a five year term and are exercisable into common shares of Andina at CAD$0.85 per share.

About Andina Minerals Inc.

Andina's primary focus is mining exploration and development in Chile. The Company's flagship development project is the 100%-owned Volcan Gold Project, strategically located in the prolific Maricunga Gold Belt.

In February 2011, Andina announced the results of a positive pre-feasibility study for Volcan. Initial Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves are 6.6 million ounces of gold at an average grade of 0.73 g/t contained in 283 million tonnes of ore. In addition, there remains 2.4 million ounces of Measured and Indicated gold resources at an average grade of 0.68 g/t contained in 110 million tonnes of ore plus 1.5 million ounces of gold in the Inferred category contained in 73 tonnes of ore at an average grade of 0.65 g/t Au.

Andina is progressing with a feasibility study and EIA submission for Volcan, targeted for completion in the first half of 2012.

In addition to Andina's extensive underexplored land position surrounding Volcan, the Company holds two other mineral properties located within Chile's primary mining regions.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws and regulations. Such information is based on the current expectations and beliefs of Andina's management and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results to differ materially from those described above. Forward-looking information in this press release includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the completion of the feasibility study and EIA, permitting timelines, government regulation of exploration and mining operations, environmental risks, title disputes or claims, limitations on insurance coverage, timing and possible outcomes of any pending litigation and timing and results of future resource estimates or future economic studies. Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "planning", "planned", "expects", "looking forward", "does not expect", "continues", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "potential", "anticipate", "does not anticipate", or "belief", or describes a "goal", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved.

The forward-looking information contained in this press release is based on a number of material factors and assumptions, including, but not limited to, that estimates and studies are accurate, that Andina's mining operations continue in the ordinary course and as expected, that contracted parties provide goods and/or services on the agreed time frames, that the equipment necessary for exploration and development work is available as scheduled, availability of water for milling and mining, that no labour shortages or delays are incurred, that plant and equipment function as specified, Andina's ability to obtain adequate financing when and as needed, the continued favourable market for gold at prices at or above estimated levels, that no unusual geological or technical problems occur, that no unusual or unexpected events have a material adverse effect on Andina's operations or financial condition, and such other assumptions and factors as set out herein.

Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, future events, conditions, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, projection, forecast, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others, the interpretation and actual results of current exploration activities; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; future prices of gold; possible variations in grade or recovery rates; failure of equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; the failure of contracted parties to perform; labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing or in the completion of exploration, as well as those factors disclosed in the company's publicly filed documents. Although Andina has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Andina does not undertake any obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required to do so by applicable laws.